42 Teacher-librarians from Buk Bilong Pikinini’s Library Learning Centres across the country will attend a week-long Digital Training program from the 14-18th of December.
The digital training program and associated website has been developed in partnership with Deloitte and Deloitte Digital and is valued at more than $100,000. The website will ensure that the teachers can access the new website to continue their training on a needs-basis and will be open for everyone to access.
All BbP’s Library Learning Centres will see the implementation of a new Digital Learning Program in 2021 for the enrolled 5-year-old children. BbP’s teacher training program will ensure that the teachers are confident in their digital and online skills and ready to deliver the program.
The Digital training program includes basic computer and tablet training, how to create and print documents, research on the internet, online safety, using digital learning in the classroom and much more.
Many teachers in PNG have still not had the opportunity to use computers and tablets as part of their teaching and will greatly benefit from this comprehensive program and will enable children to enter the digital world.
The launch of an early childhood development App based on BbP’s curriculum will also take place during the training. The BbP Early Learning App will be an additional and fun opportunity for the children to become literate and increase their technology skills at the same time.
“Deloitte has a longstanding relationship with Buk bilong Pikinini that has benefited both of our organisations but, most importantly, so many PNG children for whom the best possible education is so important,” said Benjamin Lee, Managing Partner Deloitte PNG.
“A digital platform that takes advantage of new technologies can clearly facilitate new ways of both teaching and learning across the board. The focus has been on traditional literacy, but digital literacy, which is key to many employment opportunities, is also now more accessible than ever.”
“We look forward to seeing this initiative into implementation and give children an even better opportunity to learn and reach their potential.”
Niunet’s David Valentine said a quality education is enhanced and enabled through digital literacy. He said they can’t wait to work closely with BbP on this journey to digitally enable their teachers and team members.
“We are proud to be partnering with them, helping them in a small way with the amazing work they do.”
BbP’s Early Childhood Development program seeks to provide children access to comprehensive teaching of literacy, numeracy, pre-STEM and problem solving as well as a well-stocked library of books. The upcoming digital learning program will merge digital and traditional learning and will include app-based learning games and also utilizing digitized curriculum content and books.
Leanne Resson, Buk bilong Pikinini, Executive Officer said: “We have been fortunate to have books and teaching and learning resources over the last 12 years in order to establish a solid foundation for the children who attend our library learning centres. We now acknowledge and appreciate the need to merge traditional and digital learning. This training will enhance community educators’ skills in digital learning. We are grateful to all our partners who have supported us in making this happen”.
The Digital training program has been made possible thanks to the support received from ExxonMobil PNG, Deloitte/Deloitte Digital, PNG Air, Cogniss, Paddy’s Hotel, Niunet and the PNGAus Partnership.